Lake Health to Merge with University Hospitals
Lake Health recently announced it would be joining University Hospitals in an effort to sustain its level of care into the future.
Lake Health recently announced it would be joining University Hospitals in an effort to sustain its level of care into the future.
“Earlier this year, we announced that Lake Health was starting to review its strategic options that would allow us to stay true to our mission while shaping the long-term vision of health care in Lake County and surrounding communities,” said Lake Health President and Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Moore-Hardy in a statement to patients and the community. “That review over the past nine months has culminated in a decision this week by the Lake Health Board of Trustees to join University Hospitals.”
Moore-Hardy said Lake Health’s flagship hospitals — West Medical Center, TriPoint Medical Center and Beachwood Medical Center — as well as its outpatient medical campuses, which includes its Chardon campus, and physician offices will continue serving patients’ health care needs.
“This means even after Lake Health joins UH, you will still be able to receive outstanding care from the same doctors and nurses in the same locations, using the same insurance plan that you do today,” she said. “In UH, we have found a like-minded organization that shares the same vision of providing advanced cutting-edge care right in our communities. UH has a long history of expanding services to meet the growing health care needs of people in the communities they serve. In fact, this agreement builds on existing partnerships we have with UH for cancer care, cardiothoracic surgery and with the Beachwood Medical Center.”
The agreement will build on UH’s legacy of expanding services at community hospitals and ensuring convenient access to the most advanced health care for patients, UH said in a statement, adding the hospital system is committed to work closely with Lake Health’s board, physicians, leadership, employees and volunteers to bring investments that will benefit the communities served, including enhancements to facilities, equipment and services.
Additionally, UH will provide leading-edge technology, innovative practices, strong clinical research and other initiatives that will complement and grow Lake Health’s highly regarded clinical programs.
“We look forward to enhancing services and programs for residents in and around Lake County, improving access to specialized care and to extending Lake Health’s long-standing tradition of providing patient-focused health care close to home,” said Thomas F. Zenty III, University Hospitals chief executive officer. “The benefits gained through becoming part of UH will lead to greater value and lower costs of care for Lake Health’s patients.”UH officials said they will honor existing affiliations with Lake Health, its employed physicians and independent physicians affiliated with Lake Health, and offer broader support that includes access to UH clinical trials, training and education
“We welcome Lake Health’s physicians, caregivers and employees to UH, who we respect for their talents and the commitment we share with them to excellence in care for the patients we serve,” said UH President Dr. Cliff A. Megerian. “UH looks forward to collaborating with Lake Health’s medical staff, both employed and independent physicians, to enhance healthcare services for the local community.”
Once regulatory approval is finalized, Lake Health will “fully join” UH, Moore-Hardy said, adding in the meantime, nothing will change as far as the current level of health care the hospital system provides.
“Our mission continues: To provide everyone in and around Lake County with superior, compassionate health care you have come to expect and deserve for years to come,” she said. “This has been an incredibly tough year for all of us. We’ve all been challenged by the pandemic. We’re proud to become part of the UH family, and we’re thrilled that 2021 will bring us new opportunities to deliver care in more ways and in more places to shape the future of health care in Lake County and surrounding communities.”
For more information about Lake Health joining UH, visit https://lakehealth.org/lake-health-to-join-university-hospitals/.
